NOTICE FROM THE
ELECTORAL COMMISSION:- "GET IN POLL POSITION FOR 5 MAY 2011"Images with
thanks to Electoral Commission

"WITH
many local government elections taking place in England as well as
the UK-wide referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs,
Thursday 5 May promises to be a big day for voters. In our role as
the independent elections and referendum watchdog, we’re helping
voters by sending an information booklet to every household in the
UK. This tells readers what’s going on and provides neutral, factual
information, including how votes are cast and counted under the
First Past the Post and the Alternate Vote systems, and the
referendum question being put to voters. You can also get the
booklet and more information, including an animated video where
Victor the Vote Counter demonstrates both voting systems, on our
website. Finally do not forget that
on Thursday, 14 April 2011, it is the deadline for anyone who has
not yet registered to vote to do so. Registration forms can be
printed from our website. Anyone not registered won’t be able to
have their say on 5 May 2011."
Clinton Proud, Head of Campaigns, Electoral Commission.

DO
YOU WANT TO BE ON A BRAND NEW CHANNEL 4 MEDICAL SHOW?

"WE'RE looking
for people who are worried about a health problem but can’t get an
appointment with their GP; or are leaving something to fester
because they’ve no time to get to the Docs? Maybe they’re looking
for a second opinion or medical reassurance. We are also looking to
consumer test some of the leading, readily available over-
the-counter products used to treat Hay fever, colds, athletes foot
and problem teenage skin. Our aim is to assess which products work
best and as such, we need participants that currently have either of
the above conditions to start testing the products as soon as
possible. If any of your pupils or employees are interested in
participating then please pass on our contact details. There will be
a standardised protocol, a health questionnaire and we will be
working with Health Professionals to ensure safety for all
concerned. There are no cost implications for any participants. If
you’re interested or know anyone that might be, please get in touch
with us now by logging on to:- www.channel4.com/bodies or call the
hotline on:- 0121 224 8386" Lewis Evans, Researcher, Maverick
TV.

Save Child Benefit and
Working Tax Credit from the Tory deep freeze

THE
shopworkers union Usdaw is calling on the Tory led Coalition to
reconsider its decision to freeze Child Benefit and Working Tax
Credit. The decision, which has taken effect and will last3
years, will leave many hard working families hundreds of pounds
worse off at a time when family budgets are already being squeezed
by rising prices and the increase in VAT. The freezing of
child benefit will cost families with two children around £255 ayear
by 2013 and the decision to freeze Working Tax Credit will cost
families between £88 and £124 a year. Usdaw member Maureen
Morgan, a single parent with an 11 year old son Corey, said:-
"I'm still unsure how all the Government's cuts to benefits for
working parents will affect me and my family but I am worried about
the future. Freezing Child Benefit is a big concern as I stand to
lose £150 over the next three years and that's a lot of money for
me. I use Child Benefit to buy important things for my son. I really
don't think cutting benefits for those that can least afford it is
the right way to tackle the country's debt." John
Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary added:- "Child Benefit and
Working Tax Credit are essential income for many thousands of Usdaw
members who rely on them to maintain a decent standard of living.
Freezing their value means the government is cutting the incomes of
some of the lowest earning households in the country and making a
complete mockery of their commitment to reduce the deficit without
harming the most vulnerable in society."

WARNING TO MOTORCYCLISTS
TO LOSE SPEED NOT THEIR LIVES

MOTORCYCLISTS
are being urged to lose their speed and not their lives in a new
campaign aimed to reduce the number of road deaths and injuries
across Merseyside caused by motorbike collisions. In the last three
years 19 motorcyclists have died on the roads across Merseyside and
172 have been seriously injured. The latest monthly campaign by
Merseyside Police's Roads Policing Department will target
motorcyclists and other drivers to raise awareness of the dangers of
inappropriate motorbike riding and inattentive driving. Officers
will be out in force across Merseyside throughout the month and will
be holding a special spotlight say on 12 April 2011, carrying out
enforcement and educating those who are caught driving dangerously
and breaking the law. Officers will also be present at the Wirral
Egg Run on 17 April 2011. Thousands of bikers are expected to attend
this charity event raising funds for children's charities and
donates Easter eggs to hospitalised children. Merseyside Police
Roads Policing Department will be on hand on their motorbikes
offering advice and guidance to bikers. Sgt Paul Mountford, who will
be helping to police the Wirral Egg Run, said:- "As the
weather gets warmer we tend to see more motorcyclists who don't
regularly use their bikes out on the roads again and often they
won't be wearing appropriate clothing. We also see young riders with
an 'it won't happen to me' attitude wearing trainers, tracksuit
bottoms and a hoodie, which offer very little protection in a
collision so we will be speaking to them about the benefits of
wearing protective clothing as well as offering advice about safe
riding. The majority of motorbike collisions involve other vehicles.
We frequently see collisions at t-junctions, traffic lights, right
hand turns, stop signs and U-turns, which are often due to a lack of
concentration, failure to judge speed and distance correctly,
illegal parking at junctions, poor turning or manoeuvring, or just
even failing to look properly. Just one casualty on our roads is too
many so our ultimate aim is to try and reduce motorcycle casualties
by educating all motorists to drive responsibly and carefully."

Advice to motorists:-

► Before performing any manoeuvres on any part of a road check for
bikes and motorbikes.

► Motorbikers should aim to be more visible on the road.

► When at junctions make extra effort to ensure no cyclist or
motorbiker is present.

► Built up areas can be especially unpredictable - children or
animals may run into the road or a car, bike or motorbike may pull
out in front of you - stay alert and check your speed.

► It is every driver's responsibility to know his or her manoeuvre
is safe.

Formby schools consider Academy conversion

AS our Formby
Reporter email readers know the Governing Bodies of Formby's 2
secondary schools have decided to consider converting to Academy
status under the model now offered to successful schools by the
Department for Education. The Government has encouraged schools
rated as "outstanding" by OFSTED, which both Formby
schools are, to consider Academy status. Academies are funded
directly by central Government and have a number of freedoms
compared to maintained schools. Graham Aldridge, Headteacher of
Range High School, said:- "The 2 schools have a long history
of collaborative work with each other, with the primary schools of
Formby and with other Sefton secondary schools, and we are committed
to ensuring this continues if the schools were to become Academies."
Brian Rourke, Headteacher of Formby High School,
explained:- "Both schools will now undertake a process of
consultation with parents, staff, pupils and other stakeholders, and
that no final decision to convert will be taken by Governors until
after the outcomes of the consultation have been considered, and
more detailed information has been obtained from the Department for
Education." Mr Aldridge added that the potential benefits would be
examined carefully to ensure it is the best way forward for each
school. Mr Rourke said:- "Both schools see this as an opportunity to
move forward together for the benefit of our school communities and
to maintain and enrich the educational experience of the pupils."